Good Morning,
Firstly, I’d like to mention how ADORABLE all of you are as you respond to the SWEET SIXTEEN participants in the contest. You are so supportive of each other! This is absolutely TOO CUTE! Upon reading your comments and responses, I see the same KINDNESS and SUPPORT you have shown to ME during my career…and I realize again for the zillionth time how appreciative I am of ALL of YOU!
We will draw the ELITE EIGHT tomorrow…and they will be published on Saturday! Good Luck to ALL!
You have also asked what will happen with the postcards after the contest. As I mentioned in the original contest guidelines, by submitting a card to ME for the drawing, you are also granting your permission for ME to use your card in the future. John and Dottie have been reading them and enjoying all of your wonderful and inspirational thoughts. In the future, Dottie will think of a way to share them with ALL of YOU…in one form or another. The words are too special and the thoughts too kind not to be shared with MY DEAR FRIENDS! Thank YOU for being YOU!
Another thing you asked about in the responses is the HORSE PLANE. This is a topic in which I do have experience. In the above photo, you can see ME (my blaze stands out in the crowd) with members of MY TEAM getting ready to deplane. I always flew on TEX SUTTON planes so my comments will be based on my personal experiences. The Sutton plane is designed to accomodate approximately 21 horses in all. The plane is divided into ‘rows’ with 3 stalls in each row. It is set up just like a horse van inside with the stalls being OPEN so the horse can see things going on around he/she and not feel closed in at all during the flight! Per my John, that is the beauty of this plane…it is secure, safe, and open at the top for the horse not to feel closed in at all while traveling!
On the day I was flying, the van would pick me up at the barn. MY BELONGINGS (tack, blankets, equipment etc.) would be packed and ready to also travel with ME! Before I’d be able to travel to another state, I also had to have a HEALTH CERTIFICATE and a COGGINS completed to certify several things: I was healthy and fine to travel and also that all of my vaccinations were current. This paperwork is extremely important and would always TRAVEL WITH ME!
Once loaded on the van, we’d leave BARN 55 and be off to the airport. Tex Sutton planes fly out of Ontario, California. It is about one hour plus driving time to get there from Hollywood Park. Members of MY TEAM traveled right with ME! Mario always flew with ME and went with ME on all of my van trips. When possible (meaning depending on space) Steve, Frank, and / or John would also go on the van and / or plane with ME.
Once we’d land, the plane doors would open up…as you can see above…and Mario and I would walk right down the ramp directly into the waiting van. This is an amazingly WELL-ORGANIZED way to travel. All of these people do a great job to make it so safe and yet relaxing for the horses!
As a matter of fact, my JOHN has some video of ME while on a plane trip! I’ve got an idea…why don’t you COME FLY WITH ME!
http://gallery.me.com/jonshfs#100180
Enjoy!
With love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
DJ
If it was, thank you for your generosity and sharing your lovely family with us. Good to see you too – Cutie Pie Sophie!
Kathryn Cogswell
‘Welcome to Air Horse One’
Kathryn Cogswell
Even better, it said, ‘Welcome Aboard Air Horse One’
Valarie Franklin
Wow Z! If you hadn’t told us, I wouldn’t have even known you were in a plane on that video, you looked so calm and happy (as always!) I absolutely adore you. You remind me of my Golden Retriever – Ryver (pronounced river). He is just as calm and collected, nothing fazes him and he is super happy. He did a great job flying with me in February for the first time! We’re going to Portland Oregon in June so I’ll be sure to remind him how brave you were to help him stay calm too :)
Good luck to everyone in the Sweet Sixteen! I am so excited for the next draw!
Hernan Tovar
My dear Zenyatta: The more I read what you and your Team do for US, my love grows more and more for all of you! You people are awesome… Your team really love you!!! I really love you all, thank you for everything. Good luck to all sweet 16, AND GOOD LUCK TO ME! HA,HA.
Ingrid from South Beach.
DJ
It Is a “Wonderful World”…thank you!
Jan Doyle
Love the plane ride Zenny. William and Linda of Texas, I am with Lisa g. bring Zenyatta to Texas. Gook Luck
Allen
Z thanks for the information on flying. Thank You Z and Dottie for keeping us posted on everything in the Queen’s life. Have a great day Z.
Cheryl Y
Dear Zen,Thanks so much for letting me come fly with you!I have ridden in the van with lots of horses on the way to the races,but never had the chance to fly with them.I was like Mario,I always rode in the back with them,so I could be there if they were frightened for any reason.Some of them were not as brave as you,especially if we went through a tunnel such as the Baltimore tunnel on the way to Laurel or Pimlico,so I would stand next to them and comfort them.Thank you for sharing with all of us.Love you bunches girlfriend,I just got a new hat with your name and colors and on the back it says 19 for 19.Also MLV are you the same one that just lost Oliver ? If so how are you doing and what happened to your horse?Hope you are doing better.
Bryna Dambrowski
Too bad you couldn’t fly Delta – I would love to ride with you beautiful girl!
Connie Newkirk
Ah Zen you just make my heart so proud. Thanks to you and your team for letting us keep up with what you are doing. I just love hearing about your adventures. You are the MOST wonderful horse ever. I love you and hope your day is filled with love and carrots.
Cathy Marshall
First Class all the way!! Thanks for the information. It was very interesting. Love you, Zenny!!
Lisa g
@MLV: Such a beautiful story, I could just picture him coming down off the plane and showing his big self off for everyone to enjoy….Brought tears to these eyes…You have any pics and/or videos to post, if you can do that?
Lisa g
@Kathryn: I love it “Air Horse One”
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Forgot to mention “Best of Luck!” this Sunday at S.A. Closing Day for your “Z” family with El Vino in the 8th! We will be there cheering and hoping to see El Vino in the Winners Circle again.
Margaret-Rose Batterman
SO COOL!!!! I just love all that TEAM Z shares with us!!
Thank you! It has been so educational as to the inside of the horse world:) And this photo of Zen and all on the plane is AWESOME!!!!! We love Zenyatta and all of you!
AnnG
Wow Mario looks really bored but you are just happy and content, what a good traveler! I think your ability to completely relax during down times is what helped make you such a champion; I heard a discussion once with an Olympic swimmer who described it as the “cat mentality” – the ability to completely relax at times but then completely ramp it up when the time comes to race! Like a big African cat.
nancy
Thanks for sharing everything with us :) Will be cheering on El Vino ths Sunday at SA. Was also wondering Z when will you be going back to see Bernie? And has there been any new updates about the new take from 60 mins? Love ya girl.
Jeane Walsh
I would fly with you anywhere “Z”!
Hugs all around to Mike Smith and your pilot!
J. Walsh
Susan from VA
Thanks SO MUCH for posting this video – it’s one thing I’m sure I’ll never do. By the way, I’ve always wondered who Tex Sutton is/was.
Mary Stanford
I loved the video Z….and there was your Mario right there. Please bw sure to thank John for us. Another lady on the Facebook page and I were kidding around about that we wanted to see anything about you…I said I am fine if they show Z getting a bath…the lady wrote….I am fine if she is just standing there. See Z….us fans adore you…and seeing this video once again showed us how wonderful you are. You are cool as can be….like an old pro at flying. Hugs to you Z…..
sherry drish
ZENYATTA, YOU ARE SO BRAVE!! I HAVE NEVER BEEN ON A PLANE, TRAIN, OR SHIP. YOU ARE A SEASONED TRAVELER. LOVE YA, SHERRY D. WV
Gary Moulton
Do you get frequent flyer miles?
Trisha Veazey
I was very curious and tried going on line to see the configuration of the Sutton planes but could not find it. . Thank you for the video and sharing so much with us.
Zenyatta is truly a very special and lucky lady. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful her team is.
Love hugs and kisses gorgeous girl
Di
Thanks for the video. Mario looks so loyal sitting there while you eat.
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, thanks for sharing the video and your experiences with flying with us! Tex Sutton sure makes it nice for horses to travel. Definitely first class!
Have a nice evening, sweet girl.
Love to all,
Leslie
pamela
Thank You for showing us the video Zenyatta. Good Luck for tomorr
Jan
Zenyatta,
WOW! You are even in the Mile High Club :)I bet you have accumulated a lot of frequent flier miles :) Hope you are doing well. Stay healthy and happy big beautiful Mama. What’s up with the girls. Any good gossip? Since Texas didn’t get a Shuttle :( bring home the Z William & Linda. Good luck from Houston.
Kathy Kimber
I think a t-shirt that says Air Horse One is a great idea. Love you Z.
Judy Maass Gadwood Loves Zenny
Hi Zenny girl friend!
I’d fly around the WORLD with you, Sweetie!
I’d love to see video of you doing anything! Flying, dancing, prancing, eating, sleeping… oh, gosh!
Santa Anita is having a walk-a-thon around their track on closing day; Sunday. This a.m. a local TV channel was out at the track and they shared one of your many, many races to promote this walk. They said when you won the 2009 BC Classic it is one of the most incredible races ever! TOO CUTE! That, my dear, is an understatement!!!!
HUGS & KISSES XOXO